By Robert Haugh

Santa Clara University’s women’s basketball season ended Thursday night with a tough one.

The Broncos blew an early fourth-quarter lead and fell to Cal 72-68 at Haas Pavilion in the opening round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament.

Santa Clara finished its season 24-10.

The Broncos looked ready to extend it.

After trailing 36-29 at halftime, Santa Clara surged in the third quarter. The Broncos closed the period on a 16-4 run and took a 55-49 lead into the fourth. Ashley Hawkins and Ava Schmidt each scored nine points in the quarter, helping Santa Clara seize control.

The Broncos pushed the lead to eight early in the final period and still held a 63-62 edge after Schmidt drilled a 3-pointer with 3:23 left.

But Santa Clara could not finish it off.

Cal answered with a steal and layup by Mjracle Sheppard to retake the lead at 64-63. Another Bronco turnover led to a three-point play that stretched the Bears’ advantage to 67-63 with 1:03 remaining.

From there, Cal sealed it at the free-throw line.

Lulu Twidale led the Bears with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists. She went 11-for-11 from the foul line, including four straight free throws in the final 13.5 seconds. Sakima Walker added 19 points for Cal, including eight in the fourth quarter.

Hawkins led Santa Clara with 18 points.

It was a tough shooting night for both teams. Santa Clara made just 4 of 21 from 3-point range, while Cal was only slightly better at 5 of 29. The Broncos shot 35.3 percent in the first half and trailed by seven at the break before rallying in the third.

The loss snapped Santa Clara’s postseason run. Cal advanced to face Kansas State on Sunday.